1.99.2445
Print, Photographic
1960 Approximate
Popcorn Wagon at County Fair. Material: paper. Size: 3" x 2". Description: black and white reprint photograph of a popcorn wagon at the Waseca County Fair, people and a striped tent in background. Waseca Prince Popcorn Wagon.
Note from Chuck Lucas: "A popcorn wagon was operated by George and Carl Ericson (George b. May 30, 1893, WHS class of 1914; Carl b. May 30, 1899, WHS class of 1919). [There was another brother, Albert Ericson, who graduated in 1911 and who may have been involved in operating the wagon.] The boys bought the popcorn wagon while they were still in high school to earn some money and ran the popcorn wagon for many years. The Ericson boys parked their popcorn wagon uptown in front of the Ruby Theatre. Their father, John Ericson, started the first concrete company in Waseca and constructed the first sidewalks all over the city. He would not support George going to art school because he didn't think George could ever earn money as an artist. George went to art school anyway and brother Carl kept the popcorn wagon going and sent George money to go to art school and to live on. George Ericson later changed his name and became well-known as illustrator and painter, Eugene Iverd. From when? - 1951 - Operated by William 'Bill' Topel. At some point during Topel's ownership the State said the wagon could no longer be parked on State Highway 14 and the wagon was moved a block south to 2nd Avenue Southwest alongside the Rendezvous Cafe. 1951 - 1971 - Operated by Leonard B. (1921-1994) and Lois Anderson, and family, in Waseca. It was sold and left Waseca in 1973, was restored by some dedicated retirees in Mason City, Iowa, and is now located in the Meredith Willson Music Man Square, Mason City, Iowa." Waseca business: Popcorn Wagon. See Accession #LU32.255